An author buddy received requests
for partials (first 3 chapters)
for the same manuscript
from two different agents this week.
(Very exciting times for my buddy)
She debated whether she should send
the partials to both,
worrying that she’d waste one agent’s time.
(Yes, yes, we convinced her to send to both)
This is a very… well… female reaction.
We pride ourselves on being nice,
on thinking of others.
Really, what we are doing
is making decisions for others.
By only submitting to one agent,
my friend has made the decision
not to allow the other agent access to her work.
The other agent can’t even negotiate
to represent her.
She has also decided
that the preferred agent will be so blown away
by her manuscript,
she’ll offer immediate representation.
That’s pretty damn arrogant.
I try not to intentionally harm others
in my pursuit of success
but I let people decide for themselves
what is and isn’t good for them.